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King Alfonso XIII Leaves Spain after the Second Spanish Republic is Proclaimed
King Alfonso XIII fled to Rome after republican and socialist candidates were victorious in elections. However, he did not abdicate the throne. This move signified the political turmoil and instablility, and that a position of leadership was ripe for the picking. -
The Popular Front Wins Spanish National Elections
Led by Manuel Azana, the Popular Front was a coalition of left-wing organizations. The significance of this event is that it again shows political instability due to ever changing election results. -
Franco Assumes Supreme Control Over the Army of Africa
The Army of Africa was essential in the Nationalist uprising in Spain. With Franco at the helm, it paved the way for him to get control of Spain assuming that the Nationalists would be able to win. -
Hitler Agrees to Support Franco
Hitlers support of Franco was essential as Hitler's military plans were essential in airlifting the Army of Africa from Morocco to Spain to get Franco's Nationalist uprising in motion. Also, Franco didn't see himself as a fascist, but his association with Hitler is what causes people around the world to view him as so. -
France Closes Border With Spain as Non Intervention Policy Begins
This move signifies the beginning of non-intervention by certain nations in the Spanish Civil War. The Non-Intervention Policy was led mainly by France and Great Britain. A committee was also formed. This event shows the wariness of nations to get involved in another deadly conflict after the first World War. -
First Meeting of Non Intervention Committee
The first meeting was held in London. This meeting signifies the follow through of the Non Intervention policy formed earlier and again shows that many nations do not want war. -
International Brigades Begin to Arrive in Madrid
International fighting brigades represented the fact that even Non Intervention policies could not stop citizens from fighting for what they believed in. Many brigades, such as the Abraham Lincoln Brigade from the US, decided to fight against Franco and the nationalist uprising. -
Germany and Italy Officialy Recognize Nationalist Government
This event shows Franco's relationships with other fascist powers at the time such as Germany and Italy. The fact that fascist states were the first two to recognize the Nationalist government would give outsiders a reason to associate Franco with fascism. -
Battle of Jarama Begins
This battle was instigated due to Franco wanting to displace the Republican troops along the Jarama River. This battle resulted in heavy casualties for both sides and the Nationalists could not find a breakthrough. -
Battle of Guadalajara Begins
This battle was eventually won by the Republicans due to a successful counterattack by the Republican forces. However, this battle shows the foreign involvement by Nationalist allies such as Italy, as Italy's forces were essential in getting the Nationalist attack started in this Battle. -
Bombing of Guernica
This was an aerial attack on the town of Guernica. This battle again shows the involvement Nationalist allies, in this case Germany. This also is significant as it was one of the first raids of a defenseless civilian population. In addition, it was subject to global backlash and major figures such as Pablo Picasso. -
Battle of Brunete Begins
The purpose for the Republican offensive at Brunete was to relieve some of the pressure that the Nationalists were placing around Madrid. While this Republican offensive was initially successful, the Republicans had to end up retreating in addition to suffering numerous losses. -
Nationalists Win Battle of Teruel
The Nationalists recapturing Teruel is considered a major turning point in the war. They used their advantages in men and supplies to win this battle, but there were over 100,000 casualties total. -
Bombing of Barcelona
The Nationalist forces bombed Barcelona, a city controlled by the Republic, for 3 days. This caused outcry from Western nations as they said it was an injust type of warfare. -
Republican Spain Split in Two By Nationalists
The Nationalists reached the Mediterranian Sea at Vinaroz. Thus, they split Republican Spain and thus cut off Republican supply lines. -
Juan Negrin Orders for Withdrawl of All Foreign Troops
This is the start of the surrender by the Republican forces, who are realizing that their chances of winning are getting slimmer. The removal of foreign troops significantly weakens the Republican side, and thus allows the Nationalists to begin to launch offensives in areas they do not control in order to end the war. -
Nationalists Begin Offensive in Catalonia
Catalonia was one of the main Republican strongholds during the war, but a weakened Republican Army gave the Nationalists a ripe opportunity to take over this important region of Spain. -
Nationalists Capture Barcelona
The Nationalist offensive finally concludes as they capture Barcelona. This signifies that the Republicans are extremely weak due to their loss of a prior stronghold. Now the Nationalists only have Madrid left until they have the entire Spanish region under their control. -
Nationalist Spain Recognized by France and Britain
Not only does Germany and Italy recognize Franco Spain, but now so does France and Britain. This signals that the war is basically over and that Spain is ready to move on from the civil war under their new dictator. -
Madrid Falls to Nationalists
The final Republican stronghold, Madrid, falls to the Nationalists. This essentially makes the end of the war although the world is waiting an official declaration. -
Franco Declares End of War
This officially marks the end of the Spanish Civil War. Franco now has full control over Spain. While this marks the end of years of bloody fighting, it also marks the beginning of Franco's dictatorship that would last until his death in 1975.
